SUPER for many reasons

Football fans rejoice for it is Super Bowl weekend! 

Super Bowl Sunday is arguably the biggest sporting event of the year, even for someone like me who really does not pay that much attention to the NFL. 

Don’t get me wrong however.  I watch the NFL and have even participated in Fantasy Football now and again, which is surprising in itself because I do not follow the game close enough to know who is throwing touchdowns or who is lobbing interceptions.  I guess I know enough to get me by in conversations. 

I mean, it isn’t that hard to say, “Man, the Lions are really bad this year”! 

But like many of you, I look forward to the Super Bowl and all the hype surrounding it.  Well, not all the hype exactly.  You will not catch me watching the 13 hours of pre-game coverage!  I mean, seriously.  Is that really necessary? 

One event that I really look forward too is heading down to the in-laws.  Yes, I said it!  I look forward to going to my in-laws!  Every Super Bowl Sunday, my father-in-law has a fish fry to mark the event.  Football, family, fish and fun! 

Of course, some of the bigger issues revolving around the game have nothing to do with the two teams taking the field, rather the events that surround the game itself. 

Who will have the best and funniest commercial?  Who is performing at halftime and what show will get the coveted post-Super Bowl slot? 

“Lassie” aired following the first Super Bowl back in 1967 and has been followed by shows such as “All in the Family” in 1978, “The Wonder Years” in 1988, “Homicide: Life on the Street” in 1993 and more recently, “Survivor”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Office”. 

This year, CBS will unveil its new reality show “Undercover Boss” following Super Bowl XLIV.  The show follows CEO’s from major companies as they go undercover to see how their company really works.  Sounds interesting enough.  I doubt we will see AIG, Fannie or Freddie which is very unfortunate! 

The halftime show is another event that attracts mucho attention.  Coming a long way from the first Super Bowl, which featured the University of Arizona & Grambling State University marching bands, the halftime shows are now star-studded affairs. 

Recent shows have featured everything from Walt Disney’s Small World Tribute to Michael Jackson’s halftime performance.  And who can forget the infamous 2004 show which featured a “wardrobe malfunction!”  This year The Who will take center stage. 

Of course everyone makes such a big deal over the commercials because they are supposed to be so hilarious.   I don’t know about you, but I do not think that I have laughed out loud at a commercial during the Super Bowl in the quite some time.  I hope that changes this year.   It should with the amount of they pay to advertise during the big game which is said to range between $2.6 and $3.1 million for a 30-second ad!   That is pure insanity, especially if I do not laugh one time during its airing. 

Whatever your reason for watching the game, and by estimates, nearly 100 million of us will, hopefully between the halftime show, commercials, after show, the food your in-laws make or the game itself, you find something worthwhile and entertaining.  

The only question left is….Colts or Saints?   Personally I could care less who wins because I think both teams deserve it, so those commercials and the half time show better knock my socks off! 

Super Bowl Fun Facts: 

Most Super Bowl MVPs: Joe Montana (3)

Most Super Bowl wins: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh (4)

Fewest points, first half: Pittsburgh 2, Minnesota 0; SB IX

Fewest touchdowns: 2, New York Jets (1) and Baltimore Colts (1); SB III

Longest field goal: 54 yards, Steve Christie; SB XXVIII

Submitted by Mark McGlothlen